Actress and playwright Anna Deveare Smith showcase a wide array of complex techniques when portraying the character of Reverend Canon Doctor Heron Smith. First, she gives him a Caribbean accent. This is pulled off very comfortably, and the audience never feels as if she is an American faking a Caribbean accent. She also plays up the scene incredibly well. At first, the reverend is quite relaxed and free-flowing with his movements. There is an incredible sense of sarcasm about the beginning of the monologue. He is incredibly taken aback by the treatment that the Rabbi seems to receive, particularly by the government. Smith does a great job using emphasis when its needed, like when she talks about how he should be escorted by Swiss guards "rather than police, a TAXPAYER's money". By the time she reaches the end of the monologue, the scene has reached its crescendo. The reverend reiterates that this type of situation will happen "again and again". The reverend is not nearly as comfortable as he was in the beginning. His body is rigid and strained, and his tone is much more serious. Through her acting, Smith has hit all the beat, and the audience seems to understand the reverend.The setting and props also help to describe the character. He is surrounded with books, implying that he is a well-read man.
Along with the bookshelf, he also has a nice brown desk and chair. This is the type of study reserved for a very accomplished person. He is also seen cleaning his glasses. He seems like the type of guy who thinks he's the smartest guy in the room, and he may very well be.
Along with the bookshelf, he also has a nice brown desk and chair. This is the type of study reserved for a very accomplished person. He is also seen cleaning his glasses. He seems like the type of guy who thinks he's the smartest guy in the room, and he may very well be.